Modern Spencer Upright Piano

Fenella Fudge · Post by **Fenella Fudge** » 02 Aug 2016, 20:00

Hi,

I've been reading a few topics on here recently and as someone that knows nothing I'm hoping someone can help.

I'm looking at buying a Spencer upright. Serial No 35869. I believe it is from the 1960's. Does anyone know if thats right?

Hopefully Ive added a picture.... Thank you in advance.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Aug 2016, 22:25

I am up to my neck in very old Spencer details, but apparently not able to place this modern number. Having undressed the piano to that point, if you carefully lift out the first few keys on the lefthand end, you may find a date either on one of the keys, or on a label under them, as explained at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

Meanwhile, I will see what I can find. In 1975, Spencer numbers had reached 54,800. I wonder if it could have been made by Zender around 1964?

Can one of our tradespeople remind me of the name of that type of pedal foot? Was it Ajax, and who used them other than Zender?

Post by **vernon** » 02 Aug 2016, 22:35

The idiosyncratic shape of the bottom of the sides looks very like a Zender as you observe Bill..I don't remember Spensers still being on the go in the 60s.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Aug 2016, 22:42

That was a speedy response Vernon! There are some alleged Spencers of the 70s listed near the bottom of my Numbers page at
http://www.pianohistory.info/numbers.html

Fenella Fudge · Post by **Fenella Fudge** » 02 Aug 2016, 22:48

Thank you for the replies.
I'd be more than happy to lift the keys up if I could but unfortunately I don't have the piano in my possession. I just wanted to get a little bit of information on it in case I was buying a dud ;-)
It seemed to be a little out of the ordinary when most of the Spencers people are asking about are very old yet this one appears to be a lot younger.

The name Spencer is written on the piano.

If I can get any more info I will certainly let you know.
Thank you.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Aug 2016, 00:04

The majority of names on the front of pianos are meaningless, and when a company finishes, the name is often taken over by another firm. In modern times, we ended up with only one substantial British factory, Kemble, and now they are gone. If you want to explore some of the mysteries of piano names, have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html

Fenella Fudge · Post by **Fenella Fudge** » 03 Aug 2016, 10:01

Thank you for the reply.

I'm looking to buy this piano and it's price is £350.
I'm not sure if this is a bit ott. But I guess it's worth what someone is willing to pay.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Aug 2016, 15:09

In the end, it is a musical instrument, and the best way to judge it is by playing it, but the most important factor deciding the value of a piano is its condition, and the most important aspect of that is whether it holds in tune, because repinning and restringing will cost over a thousand pounds, and this is usually more than an old piano is worth. Nobody can guess the value or condition of a piano without inspecting it on the spot, and tuning it, so your local tuner is the best person to ask about that.